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Sherman Jumper wrote regarding the many forms to be completed when applying for Social Security disability. My first reaction is HANG IN THERE. My name is Don Kaspari and I am the caregiver for Shirely, 62/5. Shirley, a Registered Nurse, had a Disability policy with her employer, Lincoln General Hospital, and began receiving disability benefits when she was no longer able to continue her duties at the hospital. This private insurance carrier encouraged us to apply for Social Security Disability. It was naturally to the insurance company's benefit, but it was also to Shirley's benefit, since the private insurance contract was written such that if Social Seurity benefits were received, the private inurance benefits would be reduced, but still a substantial payment would be made by them. In total then, the two payments would exceed the one payment by the private insurer. Of course this is done to encourage applying for Social Security benefits. We applied for the Social Security benefits at the Social Security office. They were very helpful. We were told that if the application were to be denied, we could appeal. It was denied. We appealed. Again it was denied. We received a letter form the private insurer, who was also receiving information regarding the denials, stating that if we wanted to take this to the next level (to a Federal court), that with our permission, that they (the private insurance company) would supply an attorney and pay all fees. We agreed. The attorney requested, by mail, more information regarding the case. Approximately six weeks later, BEFORE it got to court, we received notice from the Social Security office that the DISABILITY BENEFITS HAD BEEN GRANTED. To me, it seems like a game by Social Security. I wonder how many disabled people quit after the first try. How many after the second try? If it had not been for our private insurance encouragement and the offfer to pay the attorney's fees, I don't know if we would have gone the last route. Anyway, Sherman, don't quit trying. If you need help in filling out the forms, go to your Social Security office or one of many other social agencies or legal services you can find in the government section of your telephone book. Parkinson's is a disabling disease. The people in Social Security know this. I think that they just want to check your endurance. Don Kaspari Lincoln, Nebraska